By Roy Bodner
Dream Tube Entertainment, based in Shanghai, is adapting the Chinese classic “Creation of The Gods” (“Fong Xian Ban”) into a trilogy of movies that will be shot in 3D back-to-back in 2012, with a total approximate budget of $60 million.
All three films will be shot by Shanghai-based commercial director John Wong in both English and Chinese. The films will be titled “Gods: The Rise of Zhou,” to be theatrically released in 2013; “Gods: The Fall of Zhou,” in 2014; and “Gods: Empire of Dust,” in 2015. Wong describes the trilogy as a Chinese version of “The Lord of The Rings.”
Based on a novel written during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), “Creation of The Gods” is one of the major epics in Chinese literature, depicting the rise and fall of ancient Chinese dynasties. The fantasy novel features epic battles, fantastic creatures and wizards. The classic story has previously been adapted into popular television dramas, movies, comic books and computer games throughout the Greater China region and Japan.
“Creation of The Gods” is a semi-mythical story about a young gifted warrior, Jifa, who watches his best friend, Zhou, become King and marry Princess Daji, the woman of Jifa’s dreams. When the King and Queen become evil, Jifa and his band of wizards and immortals must stop them.
The three films will be executive produced by Chen Baiyi of Yishang Media, who are also part-financing the trilogy. The Dee Group, based in Taiwan, is currently seeking worldwide distribution.